Q: Can an accomplice to an attempted murder charge have his record expunged? He was not the aggresor.
I was incarcerated over 15 years ago with a friend who commited this crime and being with him,I was sentenced too.I was given a 6 year sentence and have been free for over 15 years without getting in any trouble whatsoever.And would like to get a better job and move on with my life.This blemish in my background closes so many doors for me.Is there anything I can do to have it expunged since I was not the aggresor? I was the one trying to stop my friend from hurting the other guy and that did not help me at all in court.
A: Under Massachusetts law, generally, individuals convicted of certain non-violent offenses may be eligible to have their records sealed (not necessarily expunged though) after a certain period of time. However, offenses such as attempted murder are considered violent crimes and are therefore not typically eligible for sealing. It's not impossible but it is highly unlikely to succeed. If you hire a lawyer to assist you, start the discussion with the possibility of sealing the record, not expunging it.
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